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Forest Park

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Overview

Large (about 5,000 acres) natural park in Portland with roughly 30 miles of dirt/gravel roads and 30 miles of trails. Most roads are open to bikes, while trails are generally only open to pedestrians. The following Forest Park roads are currently open to bicyclists: Leif Erikson Road, Saltzman Road, Springville Road, BPA Road, Newton Road, and Firelanes 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15 & Holman Lane (uphill only). Although Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, opponents of cycling (including certain park neighbors) have prevented bikes from getting access to significant singletrack, so all trails (except bit of Firelane 5 above Leif) and other roads in Forest Park are closed to bicycles.

Dogs are allowed on-leash.

Forest Park is a welcome large natural-feeling space in Portland, but was logged in Portland's early days so is largely second-growth and successional vegitation, not the big trees and open under-story that you'll find in an old-growth forest. It is also affected in many areas by invasive species including blackberry, ivy, and holly. Both roads and trails can be muddy in the wet times of year.

Visiting Tips

The roads are muddy during and immediately after rain. The main road, Leif Erikson Drive, can be crowded on nice weekend days near the Thurman Gate entrance, and there are many blind corners, so check your speed as appropriate.

For quality mountain biking you have to drive well out of Portland to the coast range, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, etc.

Recommended Routes in Forest Park - 2

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Favorite Fog in the trees along Wildwood.
Intermediate

Super Maple

10.7 mi 17.2 km 894' Up 272.52 m Up 897' Down 273.55 m Down

Portland, OR
Favorite A couple enjoy the Wild Cherry Trail. Bill Cunningham Photo
Intermediate

Nature Trail / Wild Cherry Loop

8.1 mi 13.1 km 1,071' Up 326.31 m Up 1,063' Down 323.97 m Down

Portland, OR

Forest Park Hiking

  • 51 Miles 82 Kilometers of Trail
  • 2 Recommended Routes
  • 5 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 37 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 4 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Forest Park - 44

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0.5 mi 0.8 km #1Linnton Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR
0.5 mi 0.8 km #2Chestnut Trail
Intermediate
West Haven, OR
Intermediate
West Haven, OR
0.6 mi 1.0 km #3Firelane 13
Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
2.1 mi 3.5 km #4BPA Road
Difficult
Oak Hills, OR
Difficult
Oak Hills, OR
1.4 mi 2.2 km #5Firelane 15
Intermediate
Oak Hills, OR
Intermediate
Oak Hills, OR
2.3 mi 3.7 km #6Newton Road
Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
1.4 mi 2.3 km #7Firelane 10
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR
0.5 mi 0.9 km #8Firelane 9
Intermediate
West Haven, OR
Intermediate
West Haven, OR
11.6 mi 18.6 km #9NW Leif Erikson Drive Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
Easy/Intermediate
Cedar Mill, OR
0.7 mi 1.1 km #10Waterline Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR
Intermediate/Difficult
Cedar Mill, OR

Photos of Forest Park - 73

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

A man and his granddaughter were seen spotting Pacific Wren and Wilson's Warblers along the Wild Cherry Trail. Bill Cunningham Photo
Aug 27, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A woman stops to check out the beauty of the Linnton Trail. Behind her is the root system of a fallen Douglas fir.
Sep 7, 2015 near Cedar Mill, OR
A couple start up the Birch Trail after leaving the Wildwood.
Oct 28, 2015 near West Haven, OR
A beautiful, gnarled tree seen along the Wildwood Trail.
Nov 6, 2015 near Cedar Mill, OR
A hiker enjoys a walk in the rain at the point where Fire Lane 2 crosses into a short section of private property near Skyline. There is only room for two or three cars at the side of the road. The trailhead can be difficult to find, but is marked by a double gate in a chain link fence.
Nov 9, 2015 near West Haven, OR
Framed by moss-covered vine maple trees, two people stop to enjoy the view along Balch Creek.
Jan 27, 2016 near Portland, OR
Good views all the way to Mt Rainier when you first enter the power line right of way.
Jun 9, 2019 near Cedar Mill, OR
Rainier, Helens, and Adams from the BPA Road Trail, along with the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. The power lines are ugly but the views make up for it
Jun 9, 2019 near Cedar Mill, OR